Finally it was time for the party...the men watched a sad game of football and girls chatted while kids ran amuck.

And of course when the party got good and we were playing HeadsUp and singing Karaoke with our phones I didn't get a single picture. Granted we were using my phone, so pics would have been difficult! We had a great time...food, fellowship and fun was had by all.

Dec 1st was Joey's birthday and to "celebrate" we went to a concert at a local college...it was BEAUTIFUL, as was the company!!

19 pianos on one stage!!!

Owen finalllllllly had an eye appointment. His glasses have been broken...pretty much since the week after he got them.

That weekend we celebrated Joey's birthday with friends from church!! I haven't had that many people in my house before, but it was great and we all had a wonderful time!!

Monday, the 5th, Aidan finalllllly had an eye appointment. His glasses never broke...but he hadn't had an exam in 2 or 3 years. Yikes. #momfail

I came down with a stomach bug that Thursday and it hung around till Friday afternoon. My major joints ached as well. The only plus was weight loss! Hahahaha!!

I finally remembered to take a pic of our mantle and tree!! 😍

The 14th Owen had his Gingerbread Man play in his class! Little cutie pies!!

Then Friday was party day at school, so I made sure they were all dressed Christmasy!!

Saturday I had choir rehersal for our Candelight service that Sunday.

Then we headed to Linda's house to celebrate her new digs!! She had a huge turnout and we had a great time.

That Sunday after church we headed out to eat to celebrate our friend George graduating with his Masters from Penn State!

Monday morning came way too early and it was WAY too cold...hence our attire. But we did it and were proud!!!

Tuesday was our last day at work...it was a half day and our boss took us to lunch at Olive Garden. Here we are on our way to lunch...just acting like a bunch of goofs.

All four kids had dental checkups this week. Two days at the dentist wasn't so bad when it only takes 30 minutes each time!

When we are out of school for a good bit we always play Monopoly and UNO. Sometimes Dominos. And sometimes we dress up in beautiful costumes Gaga made!

Christmas Eve Eve we met Memaw for lunch and she took the kiddos until CE dinner.

CE day I was so productive...baking, cooking, wrapping presents and watching my favorite Christmas movies!! It was really a wonderful day! I also took a picture of my newest ornament...a gold "Z" to represent Zach. 💓

Christmas (which I've already blogged about) came and went and I think we all felt like my dad by the end of the day....

The last week of December was filled with lots of this ....

...and this...

...and more of this.

Wednesday I made the kids run/scooter the neighborhood with me. Owen was exhausted, but liked stretching afterwards! Ha!

Gma, mom and myself went to a local shoe store because they were having a big sale. Gma got some beautiful shoes, but mom is showing you a good example of what was available in our sizes!! 😂😂😂

And to end the month I met Joey for lunch at Cheesecake Factory! It was delicious!!

I will blog about NYE as soon as I can get my computer to make my pics available...grrr. Anywho..December was wonderful and sad and fast and somedays painfully slow...but it was a great month for sure.

Sunday, January 1, 2017

...I didn't experience genuine happiness this Christmas. This picture should have my brother in it. At the very least he should be home sleeping waiting to get up and open presents with his niece and nephews. He should be expecting his annual Best Buy gift card from us.

I laughed my way through some super fun games (5 seconds and the plastic wrap ball full of little gifts), I smiled while the kids opened their gifts. I hugged, I ate, I sang at church. It was all nice. But there was no true happiness. And I know that is to be expected the first Christmas without Zach. I understand. It was inevitable. It was not easy. It sucked. My poor parents...I'm sure this holiday was beyond painful. Christmas was beautiful around our house...the decorations softened the hurt. The love from family lessened the sadness. The music (especially Bing Crosby) lightened the mood.

Christmas Eve started out at my parent's house. Yummy food and great company followed by four little rugrats opening their stockings from my parents.

Then back home for our tradition of opening one gift on CE...and it's always pjs...but they still get excited!!

Reading the Christmas story...Jesus' birth...patienly waiting! Ha! 😆

Christmas morning!!! Santa came with many great gifts...and each kiddo received one big gift from Joey and myself. B's gift was an American Girl doll.

Owen's big gift was a Scooby Doo Lego set...😳 So many pieces!!

Finn and Aidan received the same gift...new Beats headphones. Two happy big boys!!

We headed to church, and were joined by my parents and Grandma!! Love this sweet and beautuful picture in front of our church's Christmas tree!!

We ran back home and the kids opened their gifts from Gaga, Gpa and Gma...

Daisy needed to give Gpa a kiss to apologize for eating Grandpa's lone Christmas gift! While we were gone CEve, she found his chocolate covered cherries under the tree and had herself a delicious little snack. 😠

Next we headed over to Memaw's house and met up with Joey's sister and her family as well as our nephew Jacob.

We had DELICIOUS food and played a fun game as well as opened gifts!! Everyone left happy.

It was a filled-to-the-brim Christmas and the kids went to bed tired, full and happy.

About Me

My name is Ashley and I am a wife to a wonderful man and mother to 4 crazy fun kids!! I am an interior decorator and co-owner of The Modern Farmhouse. I love God, my family, creating, designing, dreaming, taking pictures, decorating, reading random people's blogs and living each day the best I can.